It’s finally time! Opening date for what will be my first event of the season has arrived, so my entry and my check went in the mail first thing.
It’s still amazing to me how cheap recognized USEA events are compared to h/j shows. It’s pretty much the same (a little bit cheaper really) as what I’d spend going to a 2 day local unrated h/j show. Ha! It’s still not cheap, but coming from jumperland I have to admit to feeling almost gleeful when I write the check… it feels like I’m getting a great deal considering it’s half the price of an average A show. One day I should put all the numbers out there for everyone to marvel at, I still have old bills from A shows and some local h/j shows floating around in my trunk. I don’t think eventers know how good they’ve got it in comparison! The only thing I don’t like is having to commit so far in advance. This commitment phobe is more of the last minute type, so sending in an entry for something still 6 weeks away feels like I’m just asking for trouble.
On one hand I’m really itching to get the season started. It looks like, due to my schedule and distance and the fact that my horse doesn’t do hot weather, I’m only going to have 3 chances to get the two qualifying placings I need for AEC’s, so in a sense – shit’s about to get real. Our first up is Pine Hill, which has a very easy BN course and should in theory be a breeze. It’s really all in my hands to not mess up the dressage or do anything totally stupid. No pressure. In a way I feel like I have to be even more on my toes to not let either of us get complacent about it. He’s schooled the whole Novice course here and a couple Training fences, so he might not really register the little BN boxes and logs.
After Pine Hill I’m planning on hitting Greenwood up north near Fort Worth. They run a CIC2* and CCI1* at the same event, so my BN should look extra simple in comparison. To be honest, the main reason I want to do Greenwood is because they’re involved in the TIP program and offer TIP awards. I want to support any event that supports TIP. Hear that, show management? TIP makes you more appealing!
After Greenwood I should know if AEC’s are totally out of the picture or still on the radar, and be able to decide what to do from that point. There’s really only one more possible event after Greenwood before it starts getting too hot. We’ll see how it goes. Time to start working more on the dressage and picking away at the things that will get us a better score. The dressage scores at BN can be so cutthroat, I know it’s going to come down to the minutia that make a big difference with just a few penalty points. EEK.
breedrideevent.com 
How exciting! Can’t wait to hear about them. Hopefully this means there is a light at the end of the winter tunnel…
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Moving from being too cold to ride to being too hot! I certainly won’t mind that nearly as much. Looking forward to hearing about these events!
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this is great and i know it sucks to sign up so early! Hmm maybe i need to schedule a visit to Austin one of those weekends. WOULD love to see Henry in action!…..
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Well if you visit Austin you won’t see Henry since we have NO events here lol. It’s either Houston or Dallas really.
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dummy i meant come to austin then GO to the event. Still closer than I am now 🙂
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lol that would work better. Come to Greenwood!
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LOVE TIP! I wish the dressage shows in my area still did it. I’m so frustrated they don’t any more.
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Exciting! I’m still mildly jealous of anyone who actually does have shows in their area at all… so there’s that.
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Every show should support TIP. I agree! I also would love to see an A show vs rated event cost comparison, because I raise an eye brow when I hear eventers claim that their shows are way more expensive.
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They’re definitely not. My entry fees plus stall for Pine Hill are $345. Even adding a gas split, a day or two of trainer fees (maybe), and hotel, it’s cheap. I’ll have to pull out some of my old bills and type it all up. AEC’s, if we qualify,will cost me about as much as a regular A show did. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. It’s nuts. Then start adding up and comparing membership fees, eventing is cheaper there too.
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I love this…because to me that is still super expensive for one event! I don’t hotel…sleep in the trailer, but usually do the drive there and back in the same day wince our events are one day. Usually run just under $200 cnd for the entry fee and gas – when shared about $60-$80. Maybe I will stop complaining LOL
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I’ll throw together numbers from my bills so you can appreciate it fully. 😉 There is NOTHING here (except schooling shows) that has entry fees under $200 – that’s super cheap for a rated event. Everything is also too far to drive in for the day and show out of the trailer, so a stall is necessary.
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I am soooo jealous you are already entering events and I still haven’t even started legging up my horses…boooo for me but yayyyyyyyy exciting for you!
So right about dressage at the lower levels – but there are tonnes of little secrets to help you get just those few extra marks in the dressage test that can help. No doubt you two certainly have what it takes. Advice number one – look at the collective marks, whatever scores x2 – perfect it.
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That’s our really big problem right now – the free walk is a x 2 and that’s by far our worst thing and always our lowest score. It’s sorta coming along but it’s just not going to happen quickly. 😦
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Is he a free jogger? I have some tricks to help your free jogging horse if so! My last horse was the master at 5s on the free walk lol.
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no, he doesn’t jog at all, he just doesn’t stretch and swing
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Suuuuper exciting! You and Henry will kick butt 🙂
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Are you competing in Senior or Open?
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well PH doesn’t really end up dividing it that way, but I enter as SBNR.
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So exciting, good luck!
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I’m soooo excited! I can’t wait to see you guys rockin’ it all. And just reading this made me super nervous for my shows this year. Gulp!
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Recognized events are so much cheaper than A-rated H/J shows. I’ve done both, and paid an ungodly amount more to show at an A show. Pine Hill is so pretty! I’m tempted to ask you which day is xc …
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It’s all one day 😉
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And if you volunteer to jump judge you earn schooling credits!
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Hmmmm… food for thought
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We eventers have it pretty good price wise, all things considered. I used to do the H/J too and boy were those bills nasty.
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You are super awesome for trying to qualify for the AECs with just three rated events. Those BN dressage scores are SUPER cutthroat — I’ve literally seen spreads from 22-45 at shows before. Good luck! Kick ass with your Henry!
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So freaking excited for you and Henry! Show season is almost here!
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this is super excited (tho i’m a little stressed by the pressure just reading it haha). you guys definitely have what it takes tho – wishing you the best of luck and can’t wait to read all about it!!!
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Exciting!! Jealous that its “affordable”!! Lol
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TIP for all!!
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